Environment
Our natural environment makes Wiltshire an attractive place. It enhances our quality of life, improves physical and mental health, and underpins our economy. Yet Wiltshire’s natural environment, as everywhere, is undergoing substantial changes driven by factors including population growth, development and climate change.
Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for Wiltshire Council. The council passed a motion entitled ‘Acknowledging a Climate Emergency and Proposing the Way Forward’ on 26 February 2019, and the indicators in this section aim to support this motion by assisting with the identification of local priorities at a community area level. From the management of waste through recycling, composting and reuse within the UK (instead of sending it overseas), to the identification and monitoring of our animal and plant life through biological recording, to the reduction of fly tipping and noise and air pollution, the indicators here describe some key elements of the current situation and provide an evidence base for further action to support and protect our vital natural environment.
Links to other thematic areas
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Sites of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a formal conservation designation. Usually, it describes an area that is of particular interest to science due to the rare species of fauna or flora it contains (Woodland Trust definition). There are 132 SSSIs in Wiltshire, with several crossing community area boundaries. The Southern Wiltshire and Wilton Community Areas have the highest number (20 each) and Trowbridge the lowest (1).
Definition: Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire. Several SSSIs cross community area boundaries and accordingly are counted more than once in this chart.
Data Source and Time Period: Natural England Open Data Geoportal, https://naturalengland-defra.opendata.arcgis.com/ November 2019.
County Wildlife Sites
County Wildlife Sites (CWSs) are areas of land important for their wildlife and can be on public and private land. CWS recognition is non-statutory, but is recognition of a site's high value for biodiversity. They vary in size and shape from small meadows, green lanes, ponds and hedges through to much larger areas of ancient woodlands, species rich grassland, heathland and commons. There are 1545 CWSs in Wiltshire.
Definition: County Wildlife Sites in Wiltshire. Several CWSs cross community area boundaries and accordingly are counted more than once in this chart.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, April 2019.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest and County Wildlife Sites as a proportion of area
Combining the areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and County Wildlife Sites (CWSs) indicates areas within Wiltshire that are biodiverse and rich in flora or fauna.
Definition: Proportion of community area designated as SSSI and CWS.
Data Source and Time Period: Natural England Open Data Geoportal, https://naturalengland-defra.opendata.arcgis.com/, November 2019 (SSSIs). Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, April 2019 (CWSs).
County Wildlife Sites - woodlands
Woodlands are among Wiltshire's most diverse habitats, supporting a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees, which provide homes and food for many other species. Oak trees, for example, can support more than 200 insect species (RSPB). The County Wildlife Sites (CWS) in Trowbridge have the highest proportion of broadleaved woodland as a primary habitat type, while the CWSs in Mere have the highest proportion of conifer woodland.
Definition: Proportion of County Wildlife Site areas with a primary habitat type of broadleaved, conifer and mixed woodland.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, April 2019.
County Wildlife Sites - grasslands
The largest area of calcareous grassland in Europe is found on the plateau of Salisbury Plain. Traditionally sheep grazed, the typically short and open turf, well-drained conditions and sunny climate also make it suitable for invertebrates and there are hundreds of rare and scarce species associated with the habitat (Wildlife Trust). The County Wildlife Sites (CWS) in Amesbury have the highest proportion of calcareous grassland as their primary habitat type, while the CWSs in Salisbury have the highest proportion of neutral grassland.
Definition: Proportion of County Wildlife Site areas with a primary habitat type of calcareous and neutral grassland.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, April 2019.
County Wildlife Sites - rivers, standing water, fens, marshes and swamps
The standing open water designation includes habitats such as lakes, ponds, flooded quarry pits and canals. With rivers, fens, marshes and swamps, these habitats support a diverse range of flora and fauna including fish, amphibians, dragonflies and many other aquatic insects, birds and regionally scarce plants. The County Wildlife Sites (CWS) in Malmesbury have the highest proportion of standing open water as their primary habitat type, while the CWSs in Melksham Community Area have the highest proportion of river habitats and those in Salisbury have the highest proportion of fens, marshes and swamps.
Definition: Proportion of County Wildlife Site areas with a primary habitat type of standing open water, rivers and fens, marshes or swamps.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, April 2019.
Number of biological records held by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre
We are fortunate to be surrounded by a great diversity of wildlife in Wiltshire. However we often take this for granted and don’t recognise the pressures that we put it under. Recording animal and plant life is essential to help make informed decisions about our environment. The Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) conducts and supports biological recording across the county. Recording can be done ad hoc of sightings in your local area or as part of a dedicated project that requires regular surveys. You can record in as many ways as you’d like and WSBRC can support you with expert knowledge and training, for further information click here. The three community areas for which WSBRC currently holds the most biological records are Southern Wiltshire (268,557), Malmesbury (235,545) and Amesbury (227,803). Fewest records are from Mere.
Definition: The numbers of biological records held by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, January 2020.
Number of recorded taxon groups
Within the records held by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, the records for Marlborough Community Area show the widest range of taxon groups (according to the standardised groupings), at 48. However, because much of the recording is opportunistic, there may well be as-yet-unrecorded taxa in other community areas. You can find out more about supporting biological recording here.
Definition: A taxon is a biological grouping of organisms which are usually inferred to be phylogenetically related and which have characteristics in common that differentiate them from other such groups. The chart presents the numbers of taxon groups recorded by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, January 2020.
Number of recorded species
Within the records held by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, the records for Southern Wiltshire Community Area show the widest range of individual species, at 4,401. However, because much of the recording is opportunistic, there may well be as-yet-unrecorded species in other community areas. You can find out more about supporting biological recording here.
Definition: The numbers of species recorded by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, January 2020.
Proportion of records by taxon group (grouped)
Biological records for Trowbridge Community Area show the lowest proportion of flowering plants, at 19%, and of lichens (0.1%). Warminster Community Area's records show the lowest proportion of fungi (0.5%), and Salisbury's have the lowest proportion of mosses (0.2%). Southern Wiltshire Community Area has the lowest proportion of recorded birds (4.1%), and Wilton's records show the lowest proportion of terrestrial mammals (1.9%). Within the insect groups, Calne's records show the lowest proportion of moths (2%), Salisbury the lowest proportion of butterflies (2.7%) and Bradford on Avon the lowest proportion of other insect groups (0.8%). For more information about how you can support biological recording in your area, please click here.
Definition: The proportion of records held by the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, by (grouped) taxon group.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre, January 2020.
Air Quality Management Areas
Local Authorities have to designate an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) where air quality is not meeting prescribed standards. Air quality in Wiltshire is predominantly good with the majority of Wiltshire having clean unpolluted air. There are however a small number of locations where the combination of traffic, road layout and geography has resulted in higher than prescribed levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulates (PM10) that require them to be designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA).
Definition: Map of Air Quality Management Areas. For detailed maps and information about air quality in Wiltshire, please see http://www.wiltshireairquality.org.uk/air-quality/air-quality-management-areas.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Public Protection, January 2020.
Flood Zones
These Flood Zones refer to the probability of river flooding, ignoring the presence of defences. They are shown on the Environment Agency’s searchable Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea), available here: https://flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/ . The Flood Zones shown on the Environment Agency’s Flood Map for Planning (Rivers and Sea) do not take account of the possible impacts of climate change and consequent changes in the future probability of flooding. Reference should therefore also be made to Wiltshire's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment when considering location and potential future flood risks to developments and land uses. For more information, click here.
Definition: Land with a current medium or high annual probability of river flooding (>1 in 1000).
Data Source and Time Period: Environment Agency, January 2020.
Electric vehicle public charging points, November 2019
Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for Wiltshire Council. The council passed a motion entitled ‘Acknowledging a Climate Emergency and Proposing the Way Forward’ on 26 February 2019 that included the ambition to “Seek to make the County of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030”. A task group of the council’s Environment Select Committee has been set up to develop recommendations and a plan to achieve this challenging ambition. The findings of this process will feed through to the council’s review of its business plan, local plan and local transport plan. In addition, a regional study of EV infrastructure including chargepoint provision is being progressed by the Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body.
In Wiltshire there are 19 charging devices per 100,000 population compared to 23 in the UK, 22 in England and 21 in the South West. These figures show that the number of these in Wiltshire per 100,000 population is not much below the England or South West average. Wiltshire Council is not complacent about this however and is seeking to take advantage of realistic opportunities to improve the EV charging offer in Wiltshire. For instance, where the council is carrying out development of its own estate, consideration is being given to installing new EV chargepoints.
Current projects include:
1. Twelve chargepoints are planned (with ducting installed for more) in the Sadler’s Mead Multi-Storey car park project in Chippenham.
2. Two chargepoints are planned for the Melksham Campus.
3. Two chargepoints are planned for the Warminster Depot refurbishment.
4. Chargepoints are proposed but not yet specified for the High Post and Royal Wootton Bassett Depot refurbishment projects, and the Porton Science Park build. The Council is also awaiting with interest the publication of the Government’s ‘Future of Mobility: Rural Strategy’.
Definition: The number of public electric vehicle charging points.
Data Source and Time Period: https://www.zap-map.com/live/, November 2019.
LED street lights as a proportion of street lighting
Wiltshire Council is making a £12 million investment to convert its street lighting to LED lighting. The older types of lights are going out of production and the cost of energy is becoming prohibitive. The new lights are much more energy efficient and have a reduced carbon footprint. For more information, click here.
Definition: LED street lights as a proportion of total street lighting.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Highways, February 2020.
Energy Performance Certificates
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required for properties when constructed, sold or let. Low energy ratings of D-G mean householders spend more on energy bills and release more CO2 into the atmosphere than A-C rated homes. This chart shows all EPCs from 2016-18 and suggests a pattern of notably lower energy efficiency among homes in Tisbury, Pewsey and Mere than in the rest of Wiltshire. Warm and Safe Wiltshire is a commitment from Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and their partners to help residents live in healthier, safer and more energy efficient homes. It aims to do this through, for example, the installation of draught-proofing measures, providing advice on reducing energy use, reducing condensation and damp problems, and controlling heating. For more information, click here.
Definition: EPCs describe the energy performance of a property and what can be done to improve it. The chart includes EPCs for all properties that were constructed, let or sold within the three year period, including those that were let or sold more than once.
Data Source and Time Period: https://epc.opendatacommunities.org/, 2016-2018.
Feed in tariff scheme (domestic installations)
The Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme was a government programme, running from 01/04/2010 to 31/03/2019, designed to promote the uptake of renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. Devizes saw the largest overall number of new domestic installations made under this scheme (825), while Mere had the largest number per household (62.1 per 1000 households). The vast majority of these domestic installations were photovoltaic installations.
Definition: Domestic photovoltaic, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion and micro CHP installations made under the Feed-in Tariffs Scheme, per 1000 households.
Data Source and Time Period: Ofgem, Feed-in Tariff Installation Report, 1 April 2010 - 30 September 2019 (new applications to scheme closed 31st March 2019) and Chargeable dwellings, Council Tax database, October 2019.
Noise pollution reports
Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the propagation of noise with harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. More information on how Witshire Council addresses noise pollution can be found here.
Definition: Reports of noise pollution made to Wiltshire Council.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Public Protection, 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
Waste management
A total of 228,095 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (household waste and waste similar in nature and composition to household waste) was managed in Wiltshire during 2018/19. Each household produced 569.4 kgs of residual household waste (household waste is a subset of Municipal Solid Waste, and excludes some materials that are not classified as household, such as soil and rubble, and DIY waste disposed of at the HRCs, or commercial waste). This residual waste is typically comprised of non-recyclable household waste collected at the kerbside, or non-recyclable waste disposed of at the household recycling centres, and so excludes household waste sent for re-use, recycling and composting, but includes any household waste that is subsequently disposed of through a landfill diversion treatment, i.e. energy from waste production. In 2018-19 42.69% of household waste was recycled or composted. Of the residual waste collected at the kerbside, less than 1% of this material was sent directly to landfill with the remainder going to energy from waste production.
Definition: Municipal Solid Waste managed in Wiltshire.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Waste & Recycling. 2018/19.
Percentage of households generating clinical waste
Wiltshire Council has a statutory duty to provide separate collections of Clinical Waste from households that may produce healthcare waste that could cause infection, or contains/is contaminated with a medicine or fluids contaminated with a dangerous substance, including dressings, swabs and "sharps" such as needles. This waste requires separate collection and secure storage and is typically disposed of via high temperature incineration. Collections are offered weekly, fortnightly, monthly, 12 weekly and 24 weekly, as required by the resident. The figures above also include 'one-off' collections, where residents did not require regular collections.
Definition: Number of properties generating clinical waste.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Waste & Recycling, 2018/19.
Percentage of households registered for assisted household waste collections
Wiltshire Council's Waste Team arranges assisted household waste and recycling collections in cases where householders are unable to place their waste and recycling out for collection due to illness, physical disability or infirmity. In these cases, the council's contractors will retrieve the waste and recycling containers from an agreed point inside the property boundary, and return the containers after they have been emptied. In 2018/19, 2.2% of occupied households in Wiltshire were registered for assisted waste collections. The proportion of households receiving this additional support service is broadly consistent across most community areas, with the exception of Amesbury, Salisbury and South West Wiltshire at around 3%, and Malmesbury at 1.4%. A growing elderly population may lead to an increased requirement for this service over time.
Definition: The percentage of occupied households in receipt of assisted household waste collections as the householder is unable to place their household waste at the appropriate point for collection due to illness, physical inability or infirmity (either permanent or temporary).
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council Waste and Recycling Team, 2018/19 and Council Tax database, occupied households, October 2019.
Fly tipping (number of reports)
Report levels in 2018/19 of 2822 were down 345 or 11% from the previous year. Whilst Salisbury and Trowbridge saw some of the largest numbers of reports they also recorded the largest fall in report numbers during 2018/19. 2018/19 demonstrated the same trends as 2017/18 with the more densely populated areas recording higher numbers of fly tip reports, namely Salisbury, Chippenham and Trowbridge. The exceptions to this are the two rural southern area boards, Southern Wiltshire which saw the 3rd highest level of reports and South West Wiltshire which saw the 5th highest level. Report levels in these areas are high due to their rural nature and it is noticeable that report numbers increase during the winter months where longer periods of darkness offer offenders more protection.
Definition: Reports of fly tipping made to Wiltshire Council.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Highways & Environment, 2018/19.
Fly tipping (rate per 1000 population)
Looking at the number of fly tipping reports per 1000 residents in each area board the two rural southern counties come top by some way, this is because of their rural nature and the fact they are less densely populated resulting in offenders being less likely to be seen. The team have undertaken work during 2018/19 with surveillance cameras within the southern rural areas, this has resulted in a number of formal actions and prosecutions for offences within the area that are currently under review by the Council’s legal team.
Definition: Reports of fly tipping made to Wiltshire Council, crude rate per 1,000 population.
Data Source and Time Period: Wiltshire Council, Highways & Environment, 2018/19 and Office for National Statistics, 2018 mid-year estimates.